Mouthguards and the GAA

Following the GAA’s Annual Congress in April 2012 a
new rule was enacted that made it mandatory to use a mouthguard in all Gaelic
football matches and training sessions from January 1st 2013 (for all age
grades up to and including minor) and at U21 and Adult level from January 1st 2014.

Research figures indicate that Ireland has one of the
highest rates of sport-related oral injuries in the EU, with one third of all
adult dental injuries being sports-related. In many sports such as rugby and
hockey the wearing of gumshields is the norm with nearly all clubs adhering
strictly to a 'no gumshield - no game' rule. A recent survey of Irish parents
found the average cost of emergency dental treatment for sport related dental
injuries in children to be €214.23. Studies have also shown that the overall
injury risk is close to twice as high when a mouthguard is not worn, relative
to when mouthguards were used during athletic activity.

The GAA’s Medical, Scientific & Welfare Committee
acknowledge that the use of a properly fitted mouthguard is the best available
protective device for reducing the incidence and severity of sports-related
dental injuries and was centrally involved in ensuring the introduction of
compulsory mouthguards in Gaelic Football.

This information sheet has been compiled to assist
GAA Clubs and individual players in complying with the provisions of the new
rule passed at Congress 2012.

ABOUT
MOUTHGUARDS

There are three types of mouth guards:

Stock mouthguards are
preformed and come ready to wear. They are inexpensive and can generally be
purchased in sports shops for in or around €5 each. However, little can be done
to adjust their fit, they are bulky, can make breathing and talking difficult,
and they provide limited protection. Dentists do not recommend their use,
nonetheless, once they carry the CE (European Conformity) mark they are
acceptable in terms of complying with the new GAA Rules.

Official Opro GAA/GPA stock mouthguards will be
available for purchasing through your local retailers: Supervalu, Centra,
Lifestyle and Elverys.

Boil and bite mouthguards can
also be bought over the counter at most Sports Shops and generally offer a
better fit than stock mouth protectors. The "boil and bite"
mouthguard is made from thermoplastic material. It is placed in hot water to
soften, then placed in the mouth and shaped around the teeth using finger and
tongue pressure. Dentists do not recommend their use in general. Typically
these type of mouthguards will cost in the region of €15 to €20 and again any
mouthguard with the CE mark on it in this category is sufficient to ensure
compliance with the new rule.

Official Opro GAA/GPA boil & bite mouthguards
will be available for purchasing through your local retailers: Supervalu,
Centra, Lifestyle and Elverys.

Custom-fitted mouthguards are
individually designed and made in a dental office or a professional laboratory
based on your dentist's instructions. These will not just offer the best
protection against dental and oral injury but they should not affect
performance i.e. breathing and speech should be relatively unaffected particularly
if these have been worn regularly.

First, your dentist will make an impression of your
teeth and a mouthguard is then molded over the model using a special material.
Due to the use of the special material and because of the extra time and work
involved, this custom-made mouthguard is more expensive than the other types,
but it provides the most comfort and protection.

Prices can vary significantly and it is worth seeking
and comparing prices from a number of practitioners before deciding to purchase.
Typically a custom fitted mouthguard should cost between €60 and €120. However,
many dental practices offer significant reductions to GAA Clubs who are
ordering in bulk. GAA Clubs can generally liaise with dental centres and
clinics to arrange for someone to visit the Club on a given day to take dental
impressions from a number of players. Custom fitted mouthguards purchased in
bulk in this manner should cost around €30 to €50 each. To find a list of
dentists and dental centres in your area, you can use the Find a Dentist
function on the Irish Dental Associations Website -
http://www.dentist.ie/find-a-dentist.10.html

WHICH TYPE OF MOUTHGUARD SHOULD
I PURCHASE?

The decision on which type of mouthguard a player
should obtain is a matter of personal preference. There is no doubt that custom
fitted mouthguards offer the best fit and protection but they are the most
expensive option also. The Stock and Boil & Bite options will suffice for
compliance with the new rules, but only if the product carries the CE mark.

In terms of underage players, it should be borne in
mind that teeth and mouths are still developing up until about 12 years of age
and young players may grow out of custom fitted mouthguards over a period time.
However, your dental practitioner is ultimately in the best position to advise
in this context.

COMPLYING WITH THE NEW RULE

The GAA recognise that Clubs may be worried about
compliance with the new rules and specifically what will happen if a player
forgets or does not have a mouthguard on the day of a game. The suggestion in
this context is that each Club should purchase a supply of the Stock or Boil
and Bite mouthguards for use in such situations.

If a player refuses to comply with a Referee’s
instruction to wear a mouthguard, he will incur the penalty as outlined in (Rule
6.2, Rules of Foul Play, The Playing Rules of Football, Official Guide, Part
II, 2012) ‘Caution the offender; order off if he persists’.

GAA PLAYER INJURY SCHEME

Players will not be covered under the player injury
scheme if they are not wearing a mouthguard. The claim form will be updated to
reflect this new requirement. Please ensure the only the most recent edition of
the claim is used from January 1st 2013. Use of the old claim form will result
in delays in claims processing times. The most recent version of the claim form
will be available on GAA.ie under Club Zone - GAA Insurance and Injury Scheme
and also at Willis.ie under Group Scheme - GAA Injury Scheme 4

SOME QUESTIONS

1. When does the new rule come into effect?

A. From January 1st 2013, all players playing in
grades up to and including Minor will be required to wear a mouthguard in all
football games and at practice sessions.

2. When does the ruling come into effect for adult
players?

A. From January 1st, 2014 all players at all grades
will be required to wear a mouthguard in all football games and practice
sessions.

3. What will happen if I am not wearing a mouthguard
in a game?

A. If a player refuses to comply with a Referee’s
instruction to wear a mouthguard, he will initially be cautioned by the Referee
and if the player continues to refuse, the Referee can send him off.

4. Who is responsible for ensuring mouthguards are
worn at training or practice sessions?

A. It is a matter for each Club to ensure the rule is
adhered to at training or practice sessions. Clubs and players should note that
Players will not be covered under the player injury scheme if they are not
wearing a mouthguard.

5. Do players have to wear a mouthguard in hurling
games?

A. No. The new rule only applies to football;
however, wearing a mouthguard when playing hurling does reduce the risk of
dental injury.

6. I am a Minor playing on an adult team in 2013. Do
I have to wear a mouthguard?

A. Not in 2013. The wearing of mouthguards in 2013 is
compulsory at all age grades up to minor. However, a player playing at U-21 or
adult level in 2013 is not required to wear a mouthguard under rule. From
January 1st 2014 all players at all grades must wear a mouthguard.

7. Our Club has a nursery, are children in these
juvenile age groups exempt from wearing a mouthguard?

A. No. The Medical, Scientific & Welfare
Committee advise that children should begin wearing a mouthguard at whatever
age they start playing. Young mouths need protecting too and if players start
wearing mouthguards at a young age this will add greatly to the development of
a culture of wearing mouthguards in Gaelic Football.

8. Does the new rule regarding the wearing of Gum
Shields apply to Cumann na mBunscol games?

A. Yes.

9. If so, who is responsible for ensuring that they
should be worn?

A. In general it is a matter for each Club to ensure
this; however, in this case it is a matter for each School to ensure the rule
is adhered to at training or practice sessions. To avoid a scenario whereby
children may forget their mouthguard, the GAA recommends that Schools purchase
a reserve of stock mouthguards.

10. Do I have to wear a mouthguard whilst playing
Second Level games?

A. Yes. From January 1st 2013, all Second Level
players will be required to wear a mouthguard in all football games and at
practice sessions.

11. Do I have to wear a mouthguard whilst playing
Third Level games?

A. Not in 2013. From January 1st 2014 all players at
all grades must wear a mouthguard.

12. Does this apply to overseas players?

A. Yes.

13. I’m a referee – do I have to check all players
mouths before a game to ensure compliance?

A. Referee’s will not be expected to individually
check players before a game; however, if a Referee notices that a player is not
wearing a mouthguard, he should caution the player and if the player still
refuses to wear one, he should be sent off.

14. A supplier of custom fitted mouthguards has
contacted my club and offered to measure players for custom fitted guards, what
does the GAA advise?

A. It is a matter for each individual club to decide
whether they want to engage with industry suppliers in this context or not. The
GAA nationally has no preferred suppliers in this area.

15. Which type of mouthguard should I purchase?

A. The decision on which type of mouthguard a player
should obtain is a matter of personal preference. There is no doubt that custom
fitted mouthguards offer the best fit and protection but they are the most
expensive option also. The Stock and Boil & Bite options will suffice for
compliance with the new rules, but only if the product carries the CE mark.

16. I currently wear orthodontic braces, what are my
options?

A. It has been noted that children wearing
orthodontic braces and wishing to play Gaelic football will be particularly
concerned about the rule change; however, the GAA recommends that these players
seek advice from a range of dental practitioners on the most appropriate
solution for them.

17. Is there an official GAA/GPA mouthguard?

A. Official Opro GAA/GPA stock and boil & bite mouthguards
will be available for purchasing through your local retailers: Supervalu,
Centra, Lifestyle and Elverys.

If you have any queries or
would like more information, please contact Games & Player Welfare
Administrator Ruairí Harvey: Telephone: (0) 1 865 8685; E-mail:
ruairi.harvey@gaa.ie